Planning a CA-compliant AR build, advice appreciated.

I'm in the planning stages of a California-compliant AR build and would like some suggestions.

Most of my uncertainty revolves around which grip to get, as I will want to use detatchable magazines and therefore must build a "featureless" rifle. :rolleyes:

I'm leaning towards the hammerhead grip, but would appreciate any opinions about any of the non-pistol or non-thumbhole grip options out there.

Also, any other input you may have about building CA-compliant ARs would be greatly appreciated.

Oh, and if I build this initially as a .22LR (which I beilieve is exempt from the ridiculous AWB) with all the evil features, and then remove those evil parts before installing a different caliber upper receiver, am I going to run into any legal problems like 'constructive possession of an AW' since I'd still own the evil parts but just not have them installed when a centerfire upper receiver is on the weapon?

Basically I want to have a modular rifle system that I can swap parts on to make an evil-looking-but-legal .22lr or a featureless any-other-caliber.

I want to do this legally, and am trying to cover all my bases before I begin.

Have you been on Cal Guns? They created a simple flow chart that will help you build your AR. Plenty of good info on the site for Cali people.

9mmepiphany

January 3, 2010, 07:00 PM

the trick is to not have the CF upper in the same area was your RF rife with the features installed...i mean like one at home while the other is at the range.

don't transport or store the CF upper, when attached to the lower, without a mag locked in the magwell...there's a "gray area" involved

the hammerhead does look interesting and might be the way i would go if i were to build up an AR on an OLL receiver

tju1973

January 3, 2010, 09:28 PM

www.Calguns.net A bunch of great guys and gals that can give you way more advice and how to keeep it legal, tactical, and fun...:)

Barker45

January 3, 2010, 11:58 PM

Move!!! :-)

lowracer

January 4, 2010, 03:27 PM

+1 on the Calguns.net suggestion and not to worry, there is no constructive possession in CA with regards to the AWB. Build your .22LR as evil as you like. When you're ready to upgrade to centerfire, give us a call for a Hammerhead stock adapter or check with your local dealer.

You don't need a mag locked into the mag well of a fixed mag build, it's perfectly legal as long as you have a mag lock installed that requires a tool to detach any mag you insert.

You don't need to (and shouldn't) have your mag locked on a featureless build (it's a felony to have a locked mag on a centerfire rifle if the mag can hold 10+ rounds).

Our website has a pretty quick rundown of CA laws as they apply to centerfire AR-15 rifles.